Off-grid site report
Arlington County, VA
38.8878, -77.1630 · 305 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Arlington County, VA, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.
The local rulesArlington County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedThe Arlington County Zoning Ordinance covers all land in the county; there are no rural or agricultural districts, and residential districts generally allow only one main dwelling per lot. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedState law specifically authorizes Arlington to regulate or prohibit parking of motor homes and camping trailers, and the county code limits this in residential zones; RVs and tiny houses on wheels are not treated as legal permanent dwellings. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedBuilding permits are required and issued by Arlington's Building division under Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedArlington is almost entirely on public sewer; septic is a rare legacy situation coordinated with Fairfax County's environmental health staff under state VDH rules. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Arlington-specific ordinance was found; greywater reuse follows Virginia's state framework under the Department of Health and DEQ. source
Rainwater harvesting
Varies locallyBasic rain barrels are state-exempt, but systems for drinking water need VDH construction and operating permits, and Arlington requires its own environmental/stormwater permits for larger or land-disturbing installations. source
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedArlington is almost fully on public water; the rare private well would be permitted through Fairfax-Arlington coordinated health department review under state VDH rules requiring a licensed Onsite Soil Evaluator. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo ordinance explicitly bans grid disconnection, but Arlington's zoning, building occupancy rules, and fully built-out urban character make sustained off-grid utility living impractical and unaddressed by county programs.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,361 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 46 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,398 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 12 to Oct 29
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
- none within range
- Fire station
Fairfax County Fire Station Number 13, Dunn Loring - 3.4 mi
- Hardware store
Georgetown Floorcoverings - 5.4 mi
- Grocery
Wagshal's - 5.2 mi
From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.
Plan this spot
These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 22213).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Arlington County, VA?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.